Corruption and bribery has now become a serious crime that has affected the social and economic development of all societies. In order to curb it, the United Nations observes International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9.
The theme of this year's observance is "Corruption: An impediment to the Sustainable Development Goals" with an aim to control corruption and bribery and to develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
"Corruption strangles people, communities and nations. It weakens education and health, undermines electoral processes and reinforces injustices by perverting criminal justice systems and the rule of law. By diverting domestic and foreign funds, corruption wrecks economic and social development and increases poverty. It harms everyone, but the poor and vulnerable suffer most," says UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon.
Here are 15 quotes by famous personalities that can be shared on International Anti-Corruption Day 2016:
If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher. — APJ Abdul Kalam, former president of India
Corruption is the enemy of development, and of good governance. It must be got rid of. Both the government and the people at large must come together to achieve this national objective. — Pratibha Patil, former president of India
The duty of youth is to challenge corruption. — Kurt Cobain, American musician
Fighting corruption is not just good governance. It's self-defense. It's patriotism. — Joe Biden, Vice President of the United States
Those who fight corruption should be clean themselves. — Vladimir Putin, President of Russia
Sometimes corruption is slowed by shedding light into what was previously shadowed. — Paul Wolfowitz, former president of the World Bank
There is no compromise when it comes to corruption. You have to fight it. — AK Antony, former Indian minister of defence
Whenever there are some who have more opportunities than others, this feeds corruption. — Enrique Pena Nieto, President of Mexico
The worst affected from corruption is the common man. — Kailash Kher, playback singer
Corruption is nature's way of restoring our faith in democracy. — Peter Ustinov, English actor
The cancer that demands our urgent attention is corruption and poverty. — Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Filipino politician and judge
Corruption is a true enemy to development. — Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, President of Mongolia
Fighting corruption is not a one-night affair. — Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria
There is no part of the world where corruption is absolutely eliminated. — Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria
Corruption exists everywhere. — Mo Ibrahim, Sudanese-British businessman
